A member of the Chamber of Commerce Professionals Group on Facebook asked:
We have established an Education Foundation. We are looking for creative ways to enhance the Foundation especially in the areas of fundraising, community involvement, programming, etc. I appreciate your input!
There are a number of ways to develop educational foundations that strengthen your community’s future by investing in its citizens.
Creating the Future Through Today’s Educational Goals
The Salem Chamber of Commerce rang in about their Inspire Foundation. This special branch of the chamber, focuses on developing leaders out of local school students and business professionals through educational programs and events. They have three specific programs within the foundation — Leadership Youth, Leadership Salem, and Salem Area Young Professionals.
Leadership Youth aims at connecting youth to leadership opportunities while still in school. It’s good for the students who discover their own abilities and it helps them build confidence. It’s also great for the community in that it develops future leaders.
Leadership Salem further develops leadership skills of local professionals. It helps them not only build their skills but connect with like-minded people as well.
Salem Area Young Professionals targets professionals in their 20s and 30s to develop the skills that are necessary to be successful in their careers and life. It allows them to build professional relationships and give back to the community.
The Salem Chamber of Commerce addresses the community’s needs through growing leaders in all areas, not just the very young. Their foundation provides educational and leadership opportunities at all levels. This benefits the leadership class participants and the community in general, as no group is overlooked or left behind.
If you’re looking for ways to fund programs similar to this one, the Sumter Area Chamber of Commerce shared that several large retailers like Home Depot, Wells Fargo, and Target offer grants for these types of programs.
If you’d like to learn more, join the conversation here.
